First Selectman Weekly Blog Update 8-3-2018

Selectman's update- 

Happy Friday everyone. This week has been another busy week for the town. 

This week the highway team worked on trimming trees on Reutemann and Swantown Road. Mowing continued on Milltown, Tom Wheeler, Wintechog, and Ella Wheeler Road. A fallen tree was cleaned up on Grindstone Hill Road. Anna Farm East and West, and Wyassup Road were chip sealed. A large wasp nest was sprayed and destroyed at the rec field. 

Much work has progressed on the school project. You will see the exterior walls are beginning to go up on the new middle/high school and it will be enclosed soon. The steel has arrived for the elementary school addition and will be erected soon. The last parts of excavation will take place shortly with the installation of the pump house tanks which support the fire suppression system as well as power and water line runs. This will be timely as school returns for students on August 22nd in just a couple of weeks. The students return early due to the construction phasing of the project but will enjoy a two week break in March. 

We had our first meeting with the capitol improvement workgroup this past Monday. This group, comprised of employees, volunteers, and board members, will work collaboratively to develop the capitol plan for the town. The goal is for everyone to be working together as we prioritize large purchases for the town and to be strategic in both the short and long term. The group will likely meet quarterly and will be responsible for contributing to the budget process yearly regarding capitol purchases.

An RFP is currently posted on our website looking for bids to help with supplemental landscaping work at some town owned properties. Over the past couple of years through attrition and budgeting we have less resources than in years past. We will investigate the opportunity to contract for some work in order to continue to keep up with this work and see if it is cost effective. 

If you drive by town hall you may have noticed over the past few months the clock was not operational. We are happy to report it has been fixed and received a face lift! It now has all new parts and a new face. 

Next week the highway team will continue to trim trees. The crack sealer will be used on Babcock Road to fill cracks. There will be continual mowing with flail mower on roadways (be aware of mowing ahead signs). 

Please see the town website www.northstoningtonct.gov for meetings next week and consider attending if you are able. We also are still looking for volunteers on a few committees including recreation, economic development, affordable housing, the historic village improvement committee, & paid poll workers. Please email townclerk@northstoningtonct.gov if you are interested in serving.  

Finally don't forget about the "cheese and chat" social next Friday August 10th at 3:30pm at Jonathan Edwards Winery. I will be there along with Christine Dias our Administration and Finance Officer along with Juliet Hodge our town’s Economic Development/Planning & Zoning Officer to discuss all things North Stonington. Hope you can join us then!

Mike Urgo

First Selectman